In this new-age wave of technology, it does not matter anymore where your business is located. Electronically we are all neighbours! Gone are the good old days when one could afford not to be computerised or get away with -- "We don't have the time, desire nor the people for all this computer stuff right now''. Most experts agree business marketing is now easier than ever before via websites. Most marketing experts report that the time is here and now! One of the fastest, well-proven and growing technological marketing tools for your products is the Internet.

I would not desire the tiresome job of counting the amount of websites out in cyber space. Ready for some facts? The Internet outburst is happening forthwith. Six years ago over a million people per month signed up with an Internet access provider and experts then predicted there would be more than 100 million people on-line by the beginning of the 21st century. It's an unquestionable fact across the board from the expert, novice, and beginner opinions that the Internet is living up to the concept of its name "inter-networking''.

The Internet can be traced to its original beginnings in 1969 when the US Department of Defence began an experimental network system allowing scientists working on the ARPANET project to communicate with each other. At that time, there were only four computers in the programme and all four were located in California. That was then, now the term www.whatever.com is a pronounced given and shared probably just as address and telephone numbers were at the beginning of the century.

According to Dr. Humbert's Living & Winning by the Rules, "there are millions of websites out there and yours is a very small needle in a very large haystack, but it's yours; you spent time, money and effort to develop it''. He further states your site "reflects you, your business, your values and your desire to reach the millions of people who could benefit from your services and the information you offer''. With the um-teen millions of websites, here are a few resources to assist you in getting listed to share your services and information that you offer: http:/mmgco.com/4start.html -- This is a great site that walks you through submitting your website to dozens of search engines, directories and business listings.

http:/www.add-me.com -- This site has a form you will fill out once and then click on a series of links to submit your site to 34 search engines and directories. A bit tedious (it takes over an hour to go through the list), but it does get you into many of the most critical listings.

http:/www.websitegarge.com -- A valuable site that examines your site for broken links or problems that may keep your site from being found.

http:/www.linkexchange.com -- Link exchange is the largest of several networks for drawing traffic to your site. You'll need to create a banner and send it to them, but the system works.

http:/www.philiphumbert.com -- A wealth of information on various topics and links to wonderful self help and individualise personal coaching. This site includes a free weekly newsletter with healthy well-rounded tips from the doctor himself.

Choosing the right marketing resource Internet site for your website is personal choice. To find the correct site for yourself, you do need to look for websites with a good understanding of business marketing skills, search engines, knowledge of the Internet, along with technical and design ability.

The sites you choose to link up with must understand how your website fits into your organisation's overall marketing strategy. Bear in mind your website supports a part of sales burden and your marketing strategic plans. A properly marketed link enables you to target market niches that the other forms of media exposure you are using can't reach. It covers a part of the traditional market along with providing the means to allow targeting of new or virgin niches. Make sure where you engage to link your site, then understand how to ensure your website as a marketing tool that fits in with the other elements of your marketing mix.

Finally, choosing the right Internet service provider (ISP) is of utmost importance.

Cindy Swan is a Professional Organiser with over 20 years of office administrative managerial experience and a member of the National Association of Professional Organisers. Cindy Swan answers questions only through the column. Address inquiries to Cindy Swan, PO Box GE 304 St George's GEBX or email her at bermudagolf yibl.bm